Sometimes, serendipity can be sensational.
For Pat Bowlen, things are coming full-circle as he joins the Ring of Fame he once created later this year. The most successful man in Denver sports history and the most influential man in Denver Broncos history will now join 27 other Denver Broncos legends in the Ring of Fame and be remembered forever.
Rewind to 1984 and Bowlen had just purchased the Denver Broncos. One of the first things he did was create the Ring of Fame, a way to honor former players and executives alike inside their home, Mile High Stadium. Of course, the Ring of Fame was moved to Sports Authority Field at Mile High Stadium in 2001 and in September 2013, the team unveiled their new Ring of Fame Plaza. The Plaza is a public place for fans to come and stand among steel and bronze statues devoted to their favorite, franchise-chaning players. In 2014, a statue of Bowlen himself was erected.
Bowlen will be inducted into the Ring of Fame during Week 8, when the Green Bay Packers come to the Mile High City. Here’s a video recapping the selection committee’s meeting Wednesday about Pat Bowlen and the Ring of Fame.
Besides honoring the Broncos’ past, Bowlen has been a superb owner. During his 31 seasons of ownership, the team has gone through a mere five losing seasons, the least of any NFL team during that span. That includes a 61 percent winning percentage, going to the playoffs 17 times and attending six Super Bowls, with two championship victories.
“I’ve had the privilege of working for Pat Bowlen for nearly 30 years, and he is the most deserving of anyone ever elected to the Denver Broncos Ring of Fame,” John Elway said via the Broncos official press release. “As one of his players for many years and now in my current role, Pat has given us every opportunity and every resource to put the best football team on the field and compete for championships. […] In my opinion, Pat Bowlen is one of the greatest contributors in the history of professional football—not just the Denver Broncos. I congratulate Pat on his election to the Broncos Ring of Fame and look forward to the day he is enshrined in the Pro Football Hall of Fame.”
The Broncos organization released this official statement from current Head Coach Gary Kubiak:
“I’m very happy for Pat and the Bowlen family with the announcement that ‘Mr. B’ is the Broncos’ newest Ring of Famer. Mr. Bowlen has been an extremely important man in my life for the last 30-plus years as both a player and coach.
“I have immense respect for Pat and consider myself fortunate to have seen up close what he has meant to the Denver Broncos and the National Football League throughout his ownership.”
“When you talk about Pat Bowlen, you have to mention the high standard he has, how much he wants to win and how well he treats others. His kindness has extended to my entire family, and I believe that is one of the key qualities that makes him so successful as an owner.”
“Mr. Bowlen is an unbelievable owner. His election to the Denver Broncos Ring of Fame is a tremendous honor that is very much deserved.”
This is a positive step in the direction of one day possibly seeing Pat Bowlen enshrined in Canton, Ohio right alongside John Elway.
Nobody deserved it more than Mr. B.
